Hand-truck.



PATENTED MAR. 29,v 1904.

E. J. BRYAN. HAND TRUCK.

APPLIQATIOII IILEDJUNE 9. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

witweowo PATBNTED MAR; 29, 1904, E. J. BRYAN.

HAND TRUCK. I APPLICATION FILED mm 9. 1003. no MODEL. z snnmsfsnnn'r 2T 9 QwVM wo a w Patented March 29, 1904.

UNITED I STATES PATENT @EFIQE.

EDGAR J. B YAN, or RIVERSIDE, cA IFoRNIA, AssIeNoR or, ONE-HALE TO ALBERTW. MILLER, or RIVERSIDE, oALIEoRNIA.

HAND-TRUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,096, dated March 29, 1904.

Application filed June 9, 1903. Serial No- 169,690. (Nb model.) I i To all whom, it may 007500770;

prove. the construction of handetrucks, more clamping the load to be carried and capable of especially that shown and describedjn Patent No. 714,140, granted to me November 25,1902, and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive truck of this character adapted to dispensewith. the spring employed in the said patent and capable of having its operating or foot lever arranged so that it cannot come in contact with the supporting-surface in any,

position in which the truck may be placed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand-truck provided with means for enabling suchclamping means to be readily operated to engage and release the-load.

With these and other objects inview the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims'hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1- is a perspective view of a hand-truck constructed in accordance with this invention, the clamping members being open for receiving a load. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the truck, the latter being in an upright positionand the clamping members being closed. Fig. ,3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, the truck beingin an upright position. Fig. 4: is a sectional View on the line 4 4: of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the manner of mounting the oscillatory fulcrum-link of the foot-lever.

5 7 Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the draw,- ings.

1 1 designate longitudinal side bars provided at their rear ends with handles 2 and con- V .nected by cross-bars3, i, and 5. The handles are of the ordinary form, and the side barsand the said cross-bars are preferably constructed 'of wood, asshown; but the truck frame may be of any desired construction, as will be read .ily understood. Suitable legstandards 6,: ,which are shapedto form, hand-grips, project 2 from the under faces of the side bars and are braced by inclined rods or straps 7 extending from the outer endsof the leg-standards and V the adjacent side bars. The leg-standardsor handles 6 are also connected by braces 8, ex-

tending transverselyof the truck-frame from I the outer ends of the leg-standards or handles Each side,bar is notched or. rec,e ssed, as

shown atlO, and across each notchis, secured a metallic plate or strapll to form-a longi tudinal slot.

The forward ends of the straps or plates are connected by afiat cross-bar. 12,

whichconnects the forward ends of the side bars. n The bar 12 isconstructed of metal,and

the side bars are also connected at the inner v ends of the notches or recesses v1O bya metal cross-bar 13, and the said side bars 1 areprovided in the notchesor recesses with metal H plates or bars 14:, forming linings for the same and adapted toprevent the wood from.

becoming worn by clamping members 15, which oscillate in the said slots.

The clamping members, whichareadaptedj,

to engage a boX orv other load are approximately L-shaped, and their outer portions 16 form jaws for engagingthe load, and are provided with flanges or lugs 17 adapted to embed themselves in a wooden box or other receptacle, whereby the load is effectually prevented from slipping. The lugs or flanges 17 are beveled to provide sharp engaging edges, and they are set at an angle when the clamping members are closed and when the truck is in an upright or substarrtially up- TOO right position, whereby the weight of the load will operate to hold the clamping members in engagement. The inner portions of the clam ping members extend through the slots of the sides of the truck-frame and are provided at their inner ends with plates arranged in pairs and extending inward at right angles and forming perforated longitudinal arms 18 for V the reception of pivots 19, which pass through perforations of the inner metal cross-bar 13. The perforated arms which extend fromt-he clamping members may be formed in any other desired manner, and the cross-bar 13 is provided at opposite sides with perforations 20, arranged at intervals and adapted to receive the pivot 19 to permit the same to be adjusted, whereby the'clamping members are adapted to be positioned properly for engaging a load.

The pivoted clamping members, which are swung from the cross-bar 13, are adjustably secured to the outer portions of a pair of links or bars 21 and 22, which are connected at their inner portions by a bolt 23 or other suitable fastening device. The outer ends of the bars or members 21 and 22 are provided at intervals with perforations 2 for the reception of the bolt 25 or other suitable fastening device for connecting the outer ends of the bars to the clamping members. The bolt or pivot 23 passes through the inner end of the bar 21, and the other bar 22 is extended beyond the pivot 23 to form an arm 26. The arm 26 is bent laterally to form a foot-piece 27, which is adapted to be engaged by the foot of a person, whereby the clamping members are opened preparatory to engaging a load. The foot-piece 27 is also arranged to engage the inner side edge of the bar 21 to limit the outward movement of the bars 21 and 22. When the clamping members are in their engaging position, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings, the bars 21 and 22 are arranged at an angle to each other, and when the foot-piece 27 is depressed the bars are swung downward or outward to a position approximately-in alinement, the pivot 23 being carried slightly outward beyond the center, whereby the bars or members 21 and 22 form a lock for holding the pivoted clamping members in their open position.

The bars or members 21 and 22 are also connected by'a short link 28 with the inner portion of a foot-lever 29, which is fulcrumed between its ends on an oscillatory link 30. The foot-lever, which is preferably constructed of a single piece of metal, is bent to form an outer loop and two sides, as shown. The sides of the foot-lever are spaced apart to receive the connecting-link 28 and the fulcrumed link 30. The fulcruming-link 30 consists of a single piece of metal which is doubled to form a straight portion or shank and which is spread at one end of the spaced portion or shank to form arms. The arms are pivoted by a bolt 31 or other suitable fastening device to an approximately U-shaped bracketpiece 32, which is secured to the under face of the outer metallic cross-bar 12. The link 30 is connected to the foot-lever at a point between the ends thereof by a bolt 33, and it is adapted to oscillate to permit a limited endwise movement of the foot-lever. The footlever moves inward and outward as the bars or members 21 oscillate. The connectinglink 28 is preferably twisted between its ends to arrange its terminals at right angles to each other, as shown.

The truck is designed especially for carrying a series or tier of boxes of oranges or lemons; but it is adapted for handling various other kinds of merchandise, as will be readily understood. It is placed in an upright position against the load, with its pivoted clamping members open or spread. The foot-lever is then depressed to cause the clamping members to engage the load, and the truck is then tilted backward to raise the load from the ground or other supporting-surface. The weight of the load resting upon the jaws of the pivoted clamping members holds the latter firmly in engagement with the load and effectually prevents the clamping members from accidentally opening and releasing the load. When it is desired to deposit the load, the truck is brought to a perpendicular position to permit the load to rest upon the supporting-surface, and the clamping members, which are thereby relieved of strain, may be readily swung out of engagement with the load by depressing the foot-piece 27.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a truck, of clamping members movable transversely of the truck to clamp and release the load, and operating mechanism positively actuated by the foot to move the clamping members in each direction, and arranged to lock the clamping members in theiropen position and to permit them to swing freely therefrom when released, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a truck, of clamping members movable inward and outward to clamp and release the load, and means for enabling the clamping members to be positively moved in each direction by the foot, and arranged to lock the clamping members in their open position, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a truck, of clamping members movable inward and outward to clamp and release the load and having loadengaging portions lying beyond the truck, and means for enabling the clamping members to be positively moved in each direction by the foot, and arranged to lock the clamping members in their open position, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a truck, of angular clamping members pivotally connected with the truck and movable inward and outward to 5. The combination with atruck,-of angular clamping members pivotally connected with the truck and movable inward and outward to clamp and release the load andprovided with load -engaging' portions lying. beyond the truck, and'means for enabling the clamping -members to be positively moved in each directionby the foot, said means forming alock for holding the clamping members in their open position, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a'truck, of clamp ing members movable-inward'and outward to clamp and release the load, and operating mechanism adapted to lock the clamping memfoot-piece in operative relation with the clamping members for enabling the same to be positively moved in one direction by the foot, and a foot-lever for enabling the clamping members to be positively moved in the opposite direction by the foot, substantially as described.

7'. The combination with a truck, of clamping members movable inward andoutward to clamp and release the load and provided with truck, and operating mechanism-forming a lock for holding the clamping members intheir open position and embodying a foot+piece inoperative relation with" the clamping members for enabling the same to be positively moved in one direction by the foot, and a footl'ever for enabling the clamping members to be positively moved in the opposite direction by the foot, .substantially as described.

8. The combination with a truck, of angular clamping members pivotally connected with the truck and movable inward and outward to load-engaging portions lying beyond the truck,.and operating mechanismi'orming a lock for holding the clamping members in their open position and embodying a foot-piece .in operative relation with the clamping members for enablingthe same to be positively moved in one direction by the foot, and a footlever for enabling the clamping members .to

be positively moved in the opposite direction" ing members movable transversely of the truck to clamp and release the -load, transverselydisposedba'rs connected with each other and with the clamping-members, and arranged to lock the latter in their open position, and

means for operating the bars to open and close the clamping members, substantially as described.

. 1 1. The combination with a truck, clampi ing members movable inward and outward to clamp and release-the load, bars disposed substantially transversely of the truck and con-' nected with the clamping members .and with ing members 'inrtheir open position, and.

means for enabling the bars to be positively actuated in each direction by the foot to effect the opening and closing of the clamping mem- 'bers, substantially as described. 5

bers intheir open position and embodying a clamp and release the: load, bars connected with the clamping members and with each other and movable in opposite directions 'to open and close the clamping members, and arranged to lock the latter in theiropen position, and'means for enabling the bars to be positively moved v in both directions .by the foot, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a truck, of clamp.-

ing members movable inward and outward to .clampand release the load, bars disposed transversely of the truckand connected with:

each other andwitlr the clamping members lock the clampingmembersin their open position, a foot-piece for enabling the bars to be positively movedv in one direction by the foot,

and a footlever for enabling the .bars'to be positively moved in the opposite direction by the foot, substantially as described. clamp and release the load and provided with I 14:. The combination with atruck,.of clamp-J ing members movable inward and outward to clamp and release the load, bars connected with eachother and with the clamping members and-movable in. opposite directions to open and close the clamping members, and

arranged to lock'the latter in their open posi' .tion, and operating mechanism for. enabling the clamping members and for locking the ing members movable inward and outward to clamp and release the load, bars connected with the clamping members and movable in opposite directions to open and close the same and for locking the clamping members in an open position,and means for operating the bars and for carrying the same into and out of their locked relation, substantially as described.

17 The combination with a truck, of clamping members movable inward and outward to clamp and release the load, bars connecting with the clamping members and arranged at an angle to each other when the clam ping members are in engagement with the load, said bars being adapted to lock the clamping members in their open position, and means for operating the bars for swinging the same from such position to a position with their pivots in substantial alinement to lock the clamping-barsin an open position, substantially as described.

18. The combination with a truck, of clamping members movable inward and outward to clamp and release the load and provided with load-engaging portions lying beyond the truck, bars connected with the clamping members and movable in opposite directions to open and close the same and for locking the clamping members in an open position, and means for operating the bars to carry the same into and out of their locked relation, substantially as described.

19. The combination with a truck, of angular clamping members pivotally connected with the truck and arranged to swing inward and outward to clamp and release the load and provided with load-engaging portions lying beyond the truck, bars connected with the clamping members and with eachother and movable in opposite directions to open and close the clamping members and for locking the same in an open position, and means for operating the bars for carrying the same into and out of a locked relation, substantially as described.

20. The combination with a truck, of pivoted clamping members, bars pivotally connected with each other and with the clamping members, one of the bars beingextended inward-beyond the other and provided with a foot-piece adapted to be engaged by the foot to move the bars in one direction, and means for moving the bars in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

21. The combination with atruck, of clamping members movable inward and outward to engage and release the load, bars connected with the clamping members and with each other, the inner end of one bar being extended beyond the other and provided with a footpiece arranged to be engaged by the foot to move the bars in one direction, and a footlever for moving the bars in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

22. The combination with a truck, of clamping members movable inward and outward to engage and release the load, and bars connected with the clamping members and with each other, the inner end of one of the bars being extended beyond the other and provided with a foot-piece arranged to be engaged by the foot, substantially as described.

23. The combination with a truck, of pivoted clamping members, transverse bars pivoted at their outer ends to the members and similarly connected at their inner ends and arranged to swing in opposite directions to carry the pivots into and out of substantial alinement, to lock the clamping members in their open position and to release them therefrom, a movably-mounted. fulcrum, and an operating-lever mounted on the fulcrum and connected with the bars, substantially as described.

24. The combination with atruck, of clamping members movable inward and outward to engage and release the load, approximately transverse bars connected with the clamping members and arranged to swing in opposite directions to open and close the same, said bars being adapted to lock the clamping members in their open position, a fulcrum-link pivoted at its outer end to the truck and arranged at an angle to the frame thereof, and a foot-lever fulcrumed between its ends on the link and connected at its inner end with the bars, substantially as described.

25. The combination with a truck, of clamping members movable inward and outward to clamp and release the load, approximately transverse bars pivotally connected with the clamping members and with each other and arranged to swing in opposite directions to carry the pivots thereof into and out of substantial alinement, one of the bars being provided With an extension arranged to engage the other bar, and a foot-lever connected with the bars, substantially as described.

26. The combination with atruck, of clamping members composed of outer engaging portions or jaws, transverse arms extending inward from the same, and longitudinal arms arranged at the inner ends of the transverse arms and pivotally connected with the truck, approximately transverse bars connected with the clamping members and with each other and movable in opposite directions to open and close the members, and arranged to lock the latter in their open position, and means for operating the bars, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR J. BRYAN.

Witnesses:

WM. T. DINSMORE, A. D. NIoHoLs. 

